HER CHARACTER: Saul’s concubine Rizpah was the mother of Armoni and Mephibosheth. Though a woman with a few rights and little power, she displayed great courage and loyalty after the death of her sons.
HER SORROW: That her only sons were executed, and their bodies dishonored because of their father’s crime.
HER JOY: That the bodies of her sons were finally given an honorable burial
KEY SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 21:8-14
Continue reading WOMEN OF THE BIBLE (RIZPAH, HER NAME MEANS “A HOT STONE OR COAL”)
Yet another reason for seeking a concubine was to demonstrate control over the assets and legacy of a father or king. Reuben attempted to force the hand of Jacob into declaring him the primary heir of the family by sleeping with his father’s concubine (Gen 35:22). The same happened in royal circles. Abner, Absalom, and Adonijah all either slept with a king’s concubine or attempted to do so in order to advance their legitimacy as a royal figure (2 Sam 3:7; 16:21-22; 1 Kings 2:17, 21-25).
Continue reading EVERDAY LIFE IN BIBLE TIMES (CONCUBINE PT2)